An Israeli citizen living in the United States has been released after spending nearly a month imprisoned in Northern Cyprus on what his attorney successfully argued were baseless smuggling charges. During his detention, he says he endured physical abuse by prison guards, death threats from fellow inmates, and horrific prison conditions before finally regaining his freedom.

Yisrael Meir Gutthold, 24, who has been living in the United States in recent years, was traveling back to America approximately one month ago carrying medical vials related to his work when he was detained at the airport in Northern Cyprus. Authorities accused him of illegally smuggling sensitive medical equipment.

“I explained to them that they were mistaken,” Gutthold recalled in an interview with Mako. “I showed them all the official documents, the international permits proving everything was completely legal and that I work in the United States and Mexico. But nothing helped. They were completely convinced of their version of events. They confiscated the equipment, arrested me, and threw me into a detention cell.”

Along with Gutthold, a local physician and the manager of a medical clinic who allegedly sold him the equipment were also arrested.

Gutthold said the initial police detention was manageable compared to what awaited him after he was transferred to Northern Cyprus’ central prison.

“The conditions were horrific,” he told Mako. “The food was terrible, and other than fruits and vegetables, I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything. I suffered severe physical and emotional abuse there.”

Housed in an overcrowded cell with 13 other inmates, Gutthold found himself surrounded by prisoners from Iran and Syria. He said the atmosphere became increasingly hostile because he was Israeli.

“They imposed punishments on me and ostracized me. They forbade me from smoking, exercising, or even praying. The war outside only made the way they treated me inside even worse,” he told Mako. “They openly threatened my life. They told me, ‘You’re Israeli. You’re going to stay here for a long time,’ and made it clear they would order me killed if I violated the rules they imposed on me, while they themselves were allowed to do whatever they wanted. I was terrified of them. I sat in the corner, frightened, constantly praying to God to get me out of there. I couldn’t sleep at night because I was afraid they would get up and slaughter me.”

Gutthold said the hostility did not come only from fellow prisoners.

“There was one prison guard who would punch and kick me in the face simply because I’m Israeli,” he said. “He cursed me and spat on me for no reason.”

As time passed, prison officials reportedly realized Gutthold himself was in danger from other inmates. Rather than releasing him, they moved him into solitary confinement, where he spent 11 days in a tiny makeshift cell located in a prison corridor.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Gutthold said he lost approximately 33 pounds during his imprisonment.

“I lost 15 kilograms during that month. It was the nightmare of my life. It’s the kind of place where people lose every bit of hope and simply commit suicide. There were very difficult moments when I was convinced I was going to be buried there for years over something I never did. Every day felt like an entire year.”

Meanwhile, Gutthold’s family enlisted the assistance of Rav Chaim Azimov, the Chabad shliach in Northern Cyprus. They also retained local attorney Mert Ugur, who worked tirelessly to improve Gutthold’s conditions and secure his release.

According to the family, Ugur demonstrated that Gutthold was neither a criminal nor a smuggler, but an authorized courier operating in full compliance with strict international medical standards.

At the same time, relatives organized tefillos for his release. This past Motzoei Shabbos, members of the extended family gathered at the Kosel to daven before the court hearing that ultimately resulted in what they described as a miraculous release.

Gutthold’s brother, Yossi, said that the family’s tefillos had been joined by many others.

“Many people prayed for his release. Every Motzoei Shabbos, friends, acquaintances, and family members gathered to pray for him, and I want to sincerely thank them. Our family is grateful to everyone who was involved in securing his release, and we thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu that he was freed unharmed.”